Hong Kong International Airport will suspend all passenger flights for 36 hours from the evening of September 23 as the city prepares for super typhoon Ragasa. According to Qantas Airways, the closure will run from 8 pm on September 23 until 8 am on September 25. The airline said it would contact affected customers.
A spokesperson for Airport Authority Hong Kong confirmed that preparations are underway, but noted that no official closure announcement has been made. The Hong Kong Observatory reported that it would issue the lowest typhoon signal at noon on September 22, with an upgrade to the second-highest signal expected later that night. Conditions are forecast to deteriorate on September 23, with gale to storm-force winds expected on September 24. Offshore and high ground areas are forecast to experience hurricane-force winds.
Residents across the city have begun stockpiling food and daily necessities. Long queues were reported at supermarkets on Monday morning, with fresh produce prices rising sharply. Reuters witnesses observed that vegetables at wet markets were being sold for more than triple their normal price.
Cathay Pacific announced that more than 500 flights will be cancelled. "Starting at 6 pm tomorrow, Sep 23, Cathay Pacific's passenger flights arriving at and departing from Hong Kong International Airport will cease operations until resuming during daytime hours on Thursday," a spokesperson said.
Singapore-based airline Scoot confirmed eight cancelled flights, including services between Singapore, Shantou, Macau, and Hong Kong on September 23 and 24. The airline said affected passengers can request a full refund or be reaccommodated on alternative flights. "We will continue to monitor the situation with Typhoon Ragasa and adjust our flight schedules as necessary," Scoot said.
Meanwhile, authorities in the Philippines suspended work and classes across Metro Manila and northern Luzon on September 22 as the typhoon advanced toward the region, bringing forecasts of destructive winds and heavy rainfall.
Source: CNA